The Huskers set a school record in the 200-yard medley relay on Wednesday

Photo Courtesy BreAnna Haessler/NU Media Relations

Courtesy: NU Athletic Communications

02/20/2013

Minneapolis, Minn. - The Nebraska swimming and diving
team began competition at the 2013 Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships on
Wednesday evening at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. The squad
competed in the 200-yard medley relay, the three-meter synchronized diving
exhibition, and the 800-yard freestyle relay.

Nebraska kicked
off the championship meet with a school record in the 200-yard medley relay.
The team of Ariel Weech, Hayley Martin, Shannon Guy, and Taryn Collura finished
seventh and beat the previous record by over two seconds, posting a time of
1:39.13. Head Coach Pablo Morales was ecstatic about the time that earned the
relay team an NCAA B Cut.

"We
couldn't have gotten off to a more ideal start," Morales said. "The medley
relay girls swam incredibly, breaking the school record by more than two
seconds. But one of the most impressive things is that there is still room for
improvement in the event."

In the
second event, the three-meter synchronized dive exhibition, Amy Herman and
Nicole Schwery placed fourth.

"It was a
great way for Senior Amy Herman to start her final Big Ten competition,"
Morales said. "It was also a nice way for Freshman Nicole Schwery to get her
feet wet at her first Big Ten Championships."

In the session's
final event, the Huskers took ninth in the 800-yard freestyle relay. The team
of Hayley Martin, Bailey Pons, Kelly Dunn, and Ellan Dufour finished in 7:15.57,
just 58 hundredths of a second behind Iowa.

Overall,
Coach Morales was very pleased with the way his team performed as the Huskers are
in sole possession of eighth place after the first session.

"Our girls couldn't
have gotten off to a better start," Morales said. "They swam very well in both
relays and have set themselves up well. They've proven this season that they
get better and better as meets go on, and I am excited to see that this week."

The squad
will return to action on Thursday morning as the Huskers look to build off
their strong start. Check back in for updates as the Huskers continue
competition in the Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships with sessions
beginning at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.